Barclays Tax Beater Cash ISA - experiences so far (merged)

DawnW

I actually needed the 'advice', as I was setting an account up for my Mum, for whom I have power of attorney, and the form is not very clear in this respect. The person I spoke to was very helpful, and did not try to sell me anything. I am not a Barclays fan particularly, as I had one of their rubbish current accounts for years, now closed, but I cannot fault the service I received. My OH and I are also going to put next tax year's ISA allowance in this account, as it looks much better than our current providers.

Lemoncurd

Opened one today, went into a 'local' branch with my preprinted form. They just have a couple of cashiers there so they didn't try and give any advice or ask any additional questions. It just took a few minutes although she did go off to check that I could open it with a cheque and still have the money counted for this tax year.
They said there was a backlog and they all get sent to Liverpool to be processed. Going to a local branch might add a slight delay though as she said mine would be sent to the local main branch first which would then send it on to Liverpool.

miniharry

Hi,

I've been looking into this ISA also. If you print off the application form on line, is it an obligation to have this ISA? I'm looking to get my money in before the end of this tax year and then add to it through the months for next tax year. Is this possible or am I confused. It's my first ISA and I'm not sure I know what I'm doing (though I do't trust banks and will be asking for receipts etc every step of the way...sometimes they forget it's your money you're giving them!)

JHB_2

I'm somewhat confused!! I went into my local branch of Barclays today with my form printed off the internet, cheque, driving licence and utility bill with a view to opening an ISA for 2007/2008 and was told that the offer is for this current year and they won't know until 6 April what the rate will be.

I told the woman I met with that it wasn't apparent from their website, but she insisted it was the case and sent me away and said to go back after the Bank Holiday. I wanted to get it set up today, as their terms say that it takes 7 days for a cheque to clear and wanted it ready for 6 April!!!

JHB_2

I have spoken with Barclays Customer Services who checked with their Savings Department that the offer IS current for the 2007/08 tax year.

I told the person I spoke to that I was most annoyed at having made a special trip to their branch with the relevant documents to be turned away because the adviser clearly doesn't know what she's on about and even though I told her that their website indicated that it was current for 2007/08, she didn't even bother to check with the savings department!! Urgh!!

[Deleted User]

miniharry wrote: »

Hi,

I've been looking into this ISA also. If you print off the application form on line, is it an obligation to have this ISA? I'm looking to get my money in before the end of this tax year and then add to it through the months for next tax year. Is this possible or am I confused. It's my first ISA and I'm not sure I know what I'm doing (though I do't trust banks and will be asking for receipts etc every step of the way...sometimes they forget it's your money you're giving them!)

Hi - Printing off the application form online is NOT an obligation to take out the ISA. I printed one myself, and then destroyed it because I changed my mind and opened the NS&I Direct ISA instead. By the way, opening the NS&I direct isa online was a piece of cake, and only took about 5 or 6 minutes. Also, as soon as the money is debited from your debit card, your dosh starts earning interest immediately with NS&I's direct ISA, and so long as you apply and & pay online before the deadline you automatically qualify for THIS current tax year. YES it is possible to open an isa now, during this tax year, and then add to it in the next tax year upto £3000 cash. Hope this helps.:money:

miniharry

thank you goldfinger. I've been looking at the Halifax ISA SAver Direct for this tax year as I think the Tax beater doesn't come into effect until the next tax year. That's what they told my dad when he called

thumshie

The application has two tick boxes, one for this tax year one for next. Your Dad can open one for this year, aslong as he hasn't paid into another min cash isa already...

bristolleedsfan

bluejake wrote: »

Seemed very old fashioned having to wait and then go into a little interview room with an advisor. Barclays need to modernise.

i agree :beer: i didnt believe their was anything for the customer to be gained by seeing an advisor either, branch i went into today was quite empty cashier said to me being as you arent a barclays customer you need to see an advisor "so that we can build up a customer profile im afraid shes full up today you can make an appointment if you would like to" first i said yep nps then i said being as ive already completed the application form and have all id with me and being as, as far as im aware isa applications are dealt with by your head office is there any reason why i cant just hand in the application to you? cashier asked someone and answer was yes fine as long as you have either passport or driving licence photo card and can leave a personal cheque. who do i make cheque out to i asked, just make it out to barclays bank was reply. i thought we couldnt do that cos of anti fraud measures i said :cool: barclays photocopied driving licence photo card and took cheque and completed application form. I applied for 2007 tax year and dated application form 6th april 2007 dated 1.00 cheque for today..cheers to the people that mentioned that there was an option on application form for tax year 2007 :T

i was wondering being as the 1% bonus can be withdrawn at any time how much of a risk is there that the bonus will get withdrawn before the 2007 tax year ISA account applications are opened ,,,and while there is a 14 day period to change mind about ISA provider. how quickly do people believe that barclays will actually communicate with people about their ISA applications. Do people believe that Barclays will have people working over easter processing the applications or is it possible that nothing will get heard till near on end of april by which time we will be nearly on another Bank Holiday and only 11 months till the start of the next tax year

flexi account mini statement shows 1.00 cheque i gave barclays yesterday is coming out of my nationwide account today :j

jinkssick

this is their new number that deals with the ISA applications

Barclays ISA Helpdesk 0845 6030845 01512526311